What do you mean they're not great walkers? What would THEY like to do? Sit them down with a few guidebooks and a really good map and let them come up with a plan. Plus, surely they use the internet, which is a gateway to more travel info than anyone could absorb in a lifetime. The "South of France" is huge - you have to narrow that down to specific areas.

in two weeks, I'd suggest a week in Paris, and a week in either the Dordogne or Provence - you could use the TGV to get to and from Paris, or fly home from Nice. rent an apartment in Paris, and a gite near Nice, preferably with a pool.

you will find loads of agencies offering apartments in Paris, and accommodation of all types in/around Nice.

for gites, you could start looking here:

http://www.gites-de-france.com/

My son (16 years old) is not a great walker, but he did adapt in Europe because he had to, and really he was fine, once he got into the rhythm of it. But it is good to keep the teenagers in mind and the suggestion that they make suggestions by one of the forum members is a good one. I think the Nice idea is also a good one. We stayed a bit in Nice in a hotel with access to the beach and sushi (his favorite food), and he got to luxuriate a bit as a break between all the walking bits. The nice aspect to Nice is that you can go east and west along the Riviera or you can go north to the more mountainous area. Another thing to consider is museums and churches--some late teenagers love visiting them (my 18-year-old nephew for one), others don't. My son did declare that he was sick of "old stuff" at one point, so we let him choose an alternative and he took us to a modern sculpture garden. He was quite happy to walk about there, of course, because he'd chosen it.

If your older teens have heard of something called the internet, they should be bursting with ideas of interesting things to do -- unless you are dragging them to Europe against their will. (But if you are doing so, you are doing the right thing!)

Your "kids" re definitely old enough to do a lot of the research for the trip. They should definitely have a list of their must see/dos - sights as well as towns and shuold do some dining research as well.

Let them know now a lot of walking is involved - we typically do at least 8 miles per day in Paris.

And make sure they brush up on their French so they're not helpless when someone puts a menu in front of them.

As for Paris - they can do a lot of that on their own - make sure they start looking at street and Metro maps now. With kids that age you won't want to be joined at the hip the whole time - and I'm sure they will want to head out to student clubs in the evening. (Also if they're not used to drinking wine give them a few lessons before you leave - French students will think it very odd if they nothing about it and guzzle instead of sipping.

Walking on vacation, particularly in cities, is not at all like walking for exercise. There's so much to see that you forget about all the miles you've covered in a day.

Fly into Marseille and rent a car; explore the small towns to the north of Marseille. Drop off the car and take the train to Paris for a week. Fly home from Paris.

Your kids are 17 and 20 and are "not great walkers". Are they handicapped in any way? Do they eat enough vegetables? Are their pants too tight? GAWD. Most of us would walk the entire breadth and width of all France just to be 17 or 20 again. Hey I'd do it at 30, 40 even. You better check what they've been smokin'. And as opposed to what others have said above, maybe they've been spending TOO much time on the internet. Hey, it's all about getting more exercise now. This is the new era!

Seriously though, we took my son to France at 13 and from day one, he didn't even want to sleep,he couldn't get enough of Paris. It's PARIS!!!! How about history? The French revolution and the places in Paris that they may have read in their history books. Are they into that? They might like Normandy and the invasion beaches? I agree with several of the above, limit the number of destinations and plan to spend more time in fewer places. You'll need plenty of time just to see "some" of Paris. I'd be willing to bet that once they get there, they'll be turned on to just about everything there, from the food to the historic sites to the great art, to the music and festivities that are ongoing. There are plenty of posts here about things to do. I personally wouldn't go to Marseilles as I don't find it that interesting. We spent almost 4 weeks in France a couple of years ago and I wrote a trip report about it, "Our Month in France". We hit Paris, Normandy, Dordogne and Provence. Good luck . . . and get those kids off their butts.

In Paris, our DS teen was kind of sick with a low fever and lethargy. We found the Batobus was a life-saver in Paris to let us all sit and take a break. We tend to walk all day.

One day was raining and we were able to sit on the boat under the roof and watch Paris glide by. It was charming. My son fell asleep. Which was a good thing.

Batobus sells multi-day hop-on-hop-off tickets. Very reasonable. We got 3-day passes.

PS. Nice is nice.

Marseille is European capital of culture this year and that makes a visit a must if you are in the area. They have spiffed up all of the historic areas of the city even if you don't want to visit the brand new museums.

Carleen, you have not been clear about the dates of travel.. If it is end of July to mid August note that the French are on holiday so accommodation and facilities will be heavily used.

If the guys don't walk do they walk, climb, bicycle, canoe? If so why not rent a gite in the Tarn valley rather than in a city?

If they are boys: lots of canoeing along the Dordogne, surfing on the Atlantic coast, rock climbing galore in Provence and the riviera, cycling everywhere. Legal drinking. Clubs. "Supernana" may be outdated slang but it means "major babe". There are lots of them as long as you like skinny girls. What's not to like?

Girls: some of the above plus cute clothes shops on every corner, even in towns that in the US would only have Fashion Bug and Walmart. Handsome guys on motorbikes. The best pastries, cookies, chocolate in the world and the second best ice cream. Great beaches. Legal drinking. Dance clubs.

Maybe they are too sophisticated to like this stuff. What would THEY like to do?

i would think guys that age would be lost in the deep countryside - much happier in a sizable town with a lot of students, clubs and activities that can do with local friends.

Just make sure they know some French - to begin to kep up with locals.

<<If they are boys: lots of canoeing along the Dordogne, surfing on the Atlantic coast, rock climbing galore in Provence and the riviera, cycling everywhere.>>

And girls wouldn't want to do this why? Heck, whatever gender they are, they aren't even "great walkers." Why would they want to kayak or rock climb or cycle?

>>>There are lots of them as long as you like skinny girls. What's not to like?

What? No curvy girls there? All skin and bones?

Sorry, I can't get past the:
"We have two teens aged 17 and 20 and neither are great walkers."

If they are handicapped, I apologize, but if not, perhaps they have been coddled a bit much an need to get off the internet/video games - Or whatever it is that has made two young males unable to be great walkers.

Are they heavy or obese? Get them out and exercising before the trip so they are prepared for it.

I agree with StCirq an jobo.

>>>There are lots of them as long as you like skinny girls. What's not to like?

I'm curious about this too. Not a fan of skinny gals, so I guess I'll skip that part of France!

St Cirq, the first line of my "activities for girls" recommended "some of the above" [activities for boys] assuming that those would be the athletic activities, not ogling supernanas. Sorry if I was insufficiently clear.

A longer post should also not have suggested that a concern for fashion is limited to girls. I have always been interested in street fashion, though not at all haute couture, and I am an elderly, straight male.

The dangers of trying to be brief, which I too seldom am.

Pas de problème, Ackislander.

Doppio -

I assume the OP means that they live in a suburban or rural area and that the kids drive everywhere - like the average US teen that doesn't live in the center of a major city.

Here kids routinely get their licenses at 16 (even 15 in some states) and after that cannot be pried out of their cars.

Thank you all for your replies. My teens- one girl, one boy-- are neither handicapped nor coddled and they have both been to Europe before and loved it, but this will be our first family trip.
Perhaps I should have clarified about the walking-- I meant not as my husband and I do, 8 hours plus a day when we travel. Also, as one person mentioned, I am sure they would not want to spend 2 weeks just looking at beautiful scenery in the countryside -- so a balance between country and city would be ideal. I like the idea of an apartment in Paris for a week. We have all been except my daughter and I am familiar enough with the city to get around quite easily.

Of course they are very familiar with the internet (but thanks for the tip). As my husband and I have traveled quite a bit I think it best to have an idea of what and where and then involve them in the specifics otherwise I cannot imagine 4 people easily being able to decide from so many enticing choices.

Landing in Marseille and leaving from Paris is a great idea because for one thing, it is more economical that way than going direct to Paris. Timing would be mid-June

South of France is our goal-- Provence, Cote d'Azur, Nice.. all viable options. They enjoy a variety of activities and biking is definitely an option. Museums, galleries, history, gardens and greenery, shopping... we love it all.

I really was looking for suggestions on what areas would be appealing since we've only ever been to Paris-- myself 2x.

Thanks again

It is a relief that you cleared up that "not great walkers" statement. I think it left quite a few of us in a complete state of shock regarding people under the age of 70.

Ha ha so true, I was imagining teenage couch potatoes,, walking on holiday is different then walking for excercise( does that make sense?).

Anyways I suggest you consider renting an apartment in Paris, your kids can come up with their wish list of sights, I took both my son and daughter with me on one on one trips when one was 11 and one was 14, and I made it a condition that each one had to come up with a list of three sites they wanted to see. I think your adult kids should at least do same as an 11 yr old. My teen son loved visiting the Catacombs, look them up, my daughter did not have that on her list, both kids loved the Invalids Army msueum. Both liked climbing up the Arc and Notre Dames Towers. My son and I climbed the stairs up the Eiffel Tower to avoid a long line, but nowadays you can prebook a time slot ticket, suggest you do for summer visits.
I would book in 4th 5th or 6th, lively fun areas, very central and kids can wander around happily in evening without you if they wish.

Then I would take train down to Nice. Cost us 40 euros last summer when I booked 4 months in advance( first class too)on the idTGV site..
Nice is perfect base as you can then take local bus( ONE euro each) and visit Monaco, Cannes, Eze etc .. as well as just flake out on beach one day.

In Paris look at Parisbestlodge apartments very relialble company. One advantage of them is that SOME of their apartments have a/c a must for me personally, you may or may not need it but when you need it you need it.

I am writing this post simply to agree(i also have teenage kids,a girl and boy) with Carleen's concerns about family of four travelling together because it is completely different than a group of four friends. Theoretically there is a long list of shoulds...kids should walk,should bike,should make a list,but in reality we are forgetting our teenage...how many shoulds we allowed to be applied on us or could handle. My son loves history and he enjoyed Rome whereas my daughter had to drag herself around. As a parent I couldn't tell her you opted for it and now you should bear it.... it wasn't a group of friends where you can make such statements,as a parent it was my concern to make her feel good, and I feel these are Carleen's apprehensions which she is trying to offset.
Good Luck Carleen,with your caring approach all of you would definitely enjoy your vacation.

Well, once again I will recommend Michael Osman. The OP says "she knows enough about Paris to say what they will do". For a family trip, therein may lie the dragons!! We took our 3 children to Europe for 3 weeks when they were teens--before the internet. My mantra was--we'll do some things YOU want to do and we'll doy some things WE want to do. It wasn't too long before the kids were dragging us down the street saying, "there's ANOTHER cathedral". We also probably saw every sporting goods store?!?
THEN when we took them back as adults with their spouses, for a week in Paris, I certainly "knew" enough from multiple trips to "guide" them, but there may be dragons there!! SO I hired Michael Osman for two days--one for a "tour" and one for the museums. That way I was not in charge and we had an incredibly good time not only seeing things and having them explained, but from a very personable guide and teacher. And our kids wanted him to come join us another day!!